Head of Governance & Risk – Charity

Oxfordshire | Hybrid | £65,000 + Benefits

We are partnering with a well-established national charity to recruit a Head of Governance & Risk. This is a rare opportunity to join a values-led organisation that delivers essential services across England, Wales and Scotland, supporting people to live more independent and fulfilling lives.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and forming part of the Senior Leadership Team, this role will be central to shaping the organisation’s governance, risk and assurance framework. Acting as Company Secretary and trusted adviser to the Board and Executive Team, you will play a key role in ensuring effective decision-making, regulatory compliance and organisational resilience.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as Company Secretary, providing governance support and advice to the Board, Committees, Chief Executive and Executive Team.
• Lead the annual Board and Committee cycle, including agenda planning, board papers, meeting attendance and minute-taking.
• Ensure compliance with charity, company and regulatory requirements, maintaining statutory records and overseeing governance policies and frameworks.
• Lead governance reviews, Board effectiveness evaluations, Trustee recruitment, induction and succession planning.
• Develop and continually enhance the organisation’s governance, risk and assurance framework, including risk appetite, internal controls and corporate risk reporting.
• Oversee business continuity, organisational resilience and crisis response planning, ensuring robust and proportionate arrangements are in place.
• Provide strategic advice on governance, emerging regulatory developments and organisational risk, supporting informed decision-making at Board level.
• Oversee relationships with external legal advisers and provide governance oversight of information governance, data protection and statutory compliance.

What We’re Looking for

• Significant experience in Company Secretariat, governance or risk management, ideally within the charity, public or not-for-profit sectors.
• Strong knowledge of charity and company law, corporate governance and regulatory compliance.
• Proven experience supporting Boards and Committees, including preparing board papers and minutes.
• Experience developing governance, risk and assurance frameworks and maintaining corporate risk registers.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to advise and influence senior executives and Trustees.
• Strong drafting, analytical and organisational skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into clear, practical advice.
• A relevant professional governance qualification (CGIUKI or equivalent) is desirable.

Why this role?

This is an opportunity to take ownership of governance and risk within a respected national charity where your expertise will directly influence strategic decision-making and organisational performance. Working closely with the Chief Executive and Board, you’ll have genuine visibility at the highest level while helping to shape governance, assurance and risk across a values-driven organisation committed to making a meaningful difference. The role also offers hybrid working, an excellent benefits package and the chance to make a tangible impact in a collaborative and purpose-led environment.

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The Core Partnership is a consciously inclusive recruitment agency, and therefore welcomes applications regardless of ethnicity or cultural background, age, gender, gender identity, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic. 

We want to give all our candidates the best opportunity to succeed.  If you need any adjustments to be made during the application process, please contact us.